oh what a beautiful morning

(doesn't that just make you want to sing!?)

wow, it's mornings like this morning when i walk outside and am completely covered by the sun's bright rays that i know i am where i'm supposed to be. that, and the fact that it's february and i don't think i've worn a heavy coat but once this month... and it's northwest iowa. put those two together (meaning, i have my hot pink "snow bunny" hoodie on and nothing else-- ok, well jeans, and my boots, but you know what i mean) and you've got a happy camper.

it's 8:45 in the morning which means i should be knocked out asleep. but nope! have already eaten breakfast and i'm just sitting down to get on my homework since i obviously didn't do it yesterday. only two classes, and aa stuff today... woohoo!

i talked w/ jon m down in the servery (one of tony's suitemates) and he said that the guys in the suite have really gotten a lot closer this week through tony's death. he said they really felt more like a family right now, and they're talking a lot as well. i am glad for them. sad, but glad.

what's on itunes right now: love song for a savior, by jars of clay. never have i ever heard a song better than this one. there are a lot that come close, but i think i will forever think of this as the best song ever written... i often think it was written for me. i fell in love w/ the song yeeeears ago (could it have been 9 to 10 years ago?) and every time i hear it, it still has the same effect on me. God is definitely good...

i've had something on my mind this week... something i'm really excited about. check it out:

Select dean's fellows:
It's that time of year again! Time to nominate great sophs for one of the most amazing opportunities of your life--the J Leslie Rollins Fellowship. If you recall, BV honors one sophomore student who has a proposal for a special project and helps that student make the dream come true by fully financing the student's project. Read below. If you have a project you're interested in studying, a place you're dreaming to travel, a way you can do service, or virtually ANY project with an academic or service focus, this is the opportunity for you!!! This is a super competitive process but wow....one worth considering. If you recall, Tiff Cornelius' recent trip to Africa to work with orphans and AIDS patients, this is the award that paid for that trip and this amazing life-altering opportunity! Think carefully about possibilities and let me know if you have a project you wish to be funded. Again, read below since you will need to provide research and data to show the worthiness of your proposal. Think big!!
B.

We are seeking nominations for the J. Leslie Rollins Fellowship Award. This award is given to a sophomore student to enable the student to develop his/her talents and interests beyond the opportunities in the normal curriculum of the university. If you have an outstanding sophomore student you would like to nominate, I would appreciate hearing from you by Wednesday, March 2, 2005. My office will send nominees a letter asking them to submit a proposal outlining an experience they would like to pursue if selected for the award. The recipient of the award will be announced at the Academic and Achievement Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 30.
To assist you in working with students on this project, I should note that this award has become extremely competitive. The strongest applications are built around a truly compelling idea and demonstrate significant legwork in contacting organizations or individuals involved. The students essay should include the outlines of a transforming experience, a budget, and evidence of the students research into the area and contacts with potential Rollins hosts.
Please contact my office if you have any questions. We appreciate your help in selecting a deserving student for this award.

beth emailed me and told me to THINK BIG!, so i'm trying to think as big as i can. my mind keeps going to the subject of peace and nonviolence-- something i've been really big on this year, espec. since after the conference in baltimore. what could i do w/ that, though? i want to get ahold of colman mccarthy somehow and get his advice (he's the creator of the center for teaching peace in the u.s.)... b/c i really do want to think of something BIG. wow... the opportunities that bv has given me. i got the freshman schol last year thanks to beth (for those of you who don't know, beth was my freshman advisor and 1st year sem prof-- she's by far THE most amazing professor i've ever known), and to think-- maybe i could get this one, as well. wheeee! who knows though... we'll see. (meanwhile, if anybody has any ideas of anything really BIG, shoot some ideas my way!). :)

ok....... time to do homework like i said i would. but........ i'd really rather go for a walk outside. *sigh* homework first. :)